Feb 13 Mark Takano Probes Mar-a-Lago Members

Congressman Mark Takano (D-CA), Chair of the Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman, last week opened an investigation into three members of Donald Trump's Florida country club. Politico reported last April that Marvel Entertainment Chairman Ike Perlmutter, physician Bruce Moskowitz, and lawyer Marc Shermanwere deeply involved in contract decisions that led to a $10 billion contract with Cerner Corp. to implement a new electronic health record system for the VA. ProPublica found evidence that Moskowitz tried to benefit his son's foundation through the VA. In a letter to VA Secretary Robert Wilkie, Takano requested documents including all records of communication between the Mar-a-Lago members and their companies with current or former senior VA officials. The Congressman said the three men exerted inappropriate influence over procurement at the sprawling department. “I think most Americans would agree that wealthy private citizens should not be having back-channel influence” on veterans services, Takano said. He said that he could use his subpoena power as a “last resort” if the requested documents were not relinquished. “This doesn’t have to be a drama,” he said. “It is a legitimate request.” More here.

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